Observation/Reflection #1: Starting From the Beginning
How a teacher greets students, takes care of logistics, and begins his or her lessons is CRUCIAL! During this observation, focus on how class begins. Where is your CT before class begins? What is he or she doing? Using the clock on the wall, determine when your CT establishes order and begins class. How did she/he start their lesson? How is homework from the previous night reviewed/collected/assessed? How does your CT engage students during the opening of the lesson?
My first observation of my cooperating teacher, Mr. Teacher of the Year, was not notably remarkable. He greeted a few students as they walked in however, since we were taking advantage of time between the bells I don't believe he got the chance to demonstrate his normal behavior. However during the first period I observed, he asked each student "Mr./Miss So and So how do you feel about the exam your turning in?" He would then chide or give encouragement to the students. Once that period ended and the next one began to fie in he would greet a few but because we were talking I feel he didn't display his normal behavior. He began his lesson using a Do Now where student's analyzed the different bone lengths in different species. The question used was one that had been released from a previous AP Exam and he mentioned he frequently uses those as a part of his entry or exit routine.
As far as the main portion of the lesson, Mr. Upegui switched things up and had printouts of the slides, about 5-6 slides per group of two students who also could access the slides on their chrome books because CFHS is a one-to-one technology school. The students had 15 minutes, which he set a timer for that was hung on the wall, to discuss and understand the material so that they could present it to the class. During this time, we circled the class asking students understanding and having them practice on myself and Mr. Upegui before sharing with the class. For the actual class presentation, he allowed students to use his personal microphone device to amplify their voices and he would butt in and clarify or make connections whenever necessary while the students presented.
Class was dismissed by the bell prior to the class finishing their presentations and Mr. Upqegui instructed the remaining groups to be prepared to present first thing tomorrow.
One of the things I truly admired, was that my CT has his whole week roughly planned out for each period, so that he knows where he is going and what has been done. He also annotates and modified this plan almost every period but I found it an excellent way to organize your lessons without the mess of papers that would come with typing out each lesson plan or just winging it.
Observation/Reflection #1: Starting From the Beginning
How a teacher greets students, takes care of logistics, and begins his or her lessons is CRUCIAL! During this observation, focus on how class begins. Where is your CT before class begins? What is he or she doing? Using the clock on the wall, determine when your CT establishes order and begins class. How did she/he start their lesson? How is homework from the previous night reviewed/collected/assessed? How does your CT engage students during the opening of the lesson?My first observation of my cooperating teacher, Mr. Teacher of the Year, was not notably remarkable. He greeted a few students as they walked in however, since we were taking advantage of time between the bells I don't believe he got the chance to demonstrate his normal behavior. However during the first period I observed, he asked each student "Mr./Miss So and So how do you feel about the exam your turning in?" He would then chide or give encouragement to the students. Once that period ended and the next one began to fie in he would greet a few but because we were talking I feel he didn't display his normal behavior. He began his lesson using a Do Now where student's analyzed the different bone lengths in different species. The question used was one that had been released from a previous AP Exam and he mentioned he frequently uses those as a part of his entry or exit routine.
As far as the main portion of the lesson, Mr. Upegui switched things up and had printouts of the slides, about 5-6 slides per group of two students who also could access the slides on their chrome books because CFHS is a one-to-one technology school. The students had 15 minutes, which he set a timer for that was hung on the wall, to discuss and understand the material so that they could present it to the class. During this time, we circled the class asking students understanding and having them practice on myself and Mr. Upegui before sharing with the class. For the actual class presentation, he allowed students to use his personal microphone device to amplify their voices and he would butt in and clarify or make connections whenever necessary while the students presented.
Class was dismissed by the bell prior to the class finishing their presentations and Mr. Upqegui instructed the remaining groups to be prepared to present first thing tomorrow.
One of the things I truly admired, was that my CT has his whole week roughly planned out for each period, so that he knows where he is going and what has been done. He also annotates and modified this plan almost every period but I found it an excellent way to organize your lessons without the mess of papers that would come with typing out each lesson plan or just winging it.